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Anna Girl

Popularity: #94 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAN-uh / ˈænə

Hebrew; Latin; Greek

Meaning

Hebrew: grace; Latin: favor; Greek: full of grace

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Anna has its roots in the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Channah), which means "grace" or "favor." This name was transliterated into Greek as Ἄννα (Anna) and subsequently adopted into Latin as Anna. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form Anne, which was prevalent in medieval England, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The name has maintained its form and phonetics across these languages, reflecting its enduring appeal and simplicity.

Historically, Anna is associated with several significant figures, particularly in religious contexts. In the Christian tradition, Anna is recognized as the mother of the Virgin Mary, making her a prominent figure in the New Testament. This association is notably highlighted in the apocryphal Gospel of James, which dates back to the 2nd century. The name also appears in various forms in the Bible, contributing to its historical resonance. Additionally, Anna was a common name among early saints, further solidifying its place in Christian heritage.

Culturally, the name Anna has been embraced across various societies, often symbolizing grace and favor. Its simplicity and elegance have allowed it to transcend cultural boundaries, making it a timeless choice in many languages and traditions. In literature and art, Anna has been depicted in various forms, often embodying virtues such as kindness and compassion. The diminutive form "Annie" has also emerged in various cultures, reflecting a more intimate or affectionate version of the name, although Anna itself remains the more formal and widely recognized version.

Trend Summary

Anna has consistently remained a popular name in the United States, often ranking within the top 100 names for girls.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ana
  • Ann
  • Annie

International Variants

  • Ana (Spanish)
  • Anne (French)
  • Anya (Russian)
  • Hanna (German)

Famous people named Anna

Anna Kendrick is an actress and singer best known for Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, and Into the Woods.

Anna Wintour is a journalist and editor best known for her role as editor-in-chief of Vogue and for The September Issue.

Anna Paquin is an actress best known for her roles in The Piano, True Blood, and X-Men.

Anna Faris is an actress and comedian best known for Scary Movie, The House Bunny, and Mom.

Anna Kournikova is a retired professional tennis player best known for her doubles success and her appearances in various media.

Anna Netrebko is an operatic soprano best known for her performances at the Metropolitan Opera and her recordings of classical music.

Anna Deavere Smith is an actress and playwright best known for her work in The West Wing, Nurse Jackie, and her documentary theater pieces.

Fictional characters named Anna

Anna is a fictional character from the animated film Frozen. She is the optimistic and adventurous sister of Elsa, the Snow Queen, who embarks on a journey to save her kingdom from eternal winter.

Anna is a fictional character from the novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. She is a tragic heroine who struggles with her desires and societal expectations in 19th-century Russia.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Anna was first seen in the United States in 1880. Anna has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Ohio, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Anna has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Anna (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 264
10%
CA 237
9%
NY 147
6%
PA 140
5%
FL 131
5%
OH 108
4%
NC 100
4%
GA 99
4%
TN 87
3%
VA 85
3%
IL 82
3%
AL 71
3%
MA 69
3%
IN 69
3%
KY 67
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18802,604
18812,698
18823,143
18833,306
18843,860
18853,994
18864,283
18874,227
18884,982
18895,062
18905,233
18915,099
18925,542
18935,695
18945,565
18955,950
18965,860
18975,429
18985,773
18995,115
19006,114
19014,923
19025,288
19035,098
19045,330
19055,424
19065,502
19075,575
19085,860
19095,804
19106,436
19116,753
19128,586
19139,687
191411,865
191515,119
191615,228
191715,160
191815,666
191914,498
192014,581
192114,476
192213,408
192312,865
192413,076
192512,250
192611,698
192711,215
192810,575
19299,750
19309,081
19318,429
19327,924
19337,072
19346,680
19356,162
19365,727
19375,450
19385,144
19394,929
19404,717
19414,432
19424,488
19434,231
19443,635
19453,607
19463,999
19474,238
19484,037
19493,897
19503,815
19513,870
19523,714
19533,837
19544,000
19554,090
19564,393
19574,442
19584,661
19594,878
19604,659
19614,677
19624,430
19634,255
19644,292
19653,920
19663,679
19673,727
19683,569
19693,721
19703,799
19713,578
19723,449
19733,507
19743,621
19753,578
19763,585
19773,852
19784,173
19794,669
19805,037
19815,192
19825,270
19835,218
19845,306
19855,885
19865,906
19876,169
19886,443
19896,899
19907,293
19917,118
19926,853
19936,812
19947,529
19958,569
19968,574
19978,342
19988,386
19999,115
200010,613
200110,592
200210,394
20039,463
20049,529
20059,110
20068,611
20077,900
20087,277
20096,818
20106,335
20115,672
20125,628
20135,396
20145,704
20155,149
20164,805
20174,574
20184,197
20193,845
20203,507
20213,078
20222,958
20232,931
20242,700